Postgame thoughtsThe Raiders said they want to pass the ball more, and they did -- 18 times in 28 offensive plays in the first half.
They also said they want to blitz the quarterback more, and they did -- four times in the first four possessions.
Here are the things I think and don't think, and like or don't like, after seeing the 2009 Raiders work the Cowboys 31-10 in their first exhibition game of the season.
** JaMarcus Russell is getting so much better at throwing short- and intermediate range passes, going 6 of 6 for 50 yards in those categories in almost an entire quarter of play.
But oh, his deep ball. He fell short on deep throws to Darrius Heyward-Bey and Chaz Schilens, and threw long to DHB on a similiar sideline go route.
Every time, the receiver had a step on double coverage. Russell just gets too much air and too much wobble on his long toss -- and yes, it looks more like a long toss than a missile fired from his strong right arm.
It doesn't look like a matter of timing as much a matter of flutter. Expect them to keep working on it because that route is going to be a significant part of the playbook.
Back to the positive: that 6-for-6 otherwise was a product of Russell getting his timing back after a rough two practices Tuesday. It's the exact kind of reaction Cable was looking for.
** On the injury front, Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha left the game after one drive with a bruised heel. No word on the seriousness of it.
Center John Wade got a stinger, forcing starter Samson Satele to play the second half. And, special teams ace Isaiah Ekejiuba hurt his shoulder late in the game.
** Ricky Brown very well could win the starting middle linebacker, and not just because he gets paid more than Kirk Morrison.
He blitzed the quarterback one time up the middle and dropped Jon Kitna for a 10-yard loss. Morrison, who drew the start, tried three times. He was stood up twice and put on the ground at the line of scrimmage a different try.
Of course, Morrison could keep his job because Brown is the best strongside linebacker on the team (he started there Thursday). If they think Morrison-Brown are effective than Brown-Jon Alston, then the Raiders would rather have the better combo on the field.
** Chris Johnson will win the left cornerback job, not because of what he did himself, but because of what Routt didn't do when he was on the field -- namely, cover anyone.
Routt took over for Nnamdi Asomugha on the second drive of the game, and was promptly burned by Roy Williams on a 12-yard comeback. Routt added a defensive holding two plays later, and got worked by tight end Jason Witten on an 8-yard touchdown pass to end the drive.
** Right guard Cooper Carlisle had one penalty if all of 2007, his first season with the Raiders. After a decline last year, he started this game with a holding penalty at the Cowboys' 2 -- a real touchdown killer.
Carlisle then had a false start on the next drive to make it 2nd and 15, setting up a punt two plays later. And no, there isn't anyone on the depth chart pushing for his job.
** Greg Ellis made fans forget Derrick Burgess in exactly one play. Facing his old team, Ellis batted down a Tony Romo pass on the first play of the game -- in the face of a double team, no less.
Trevor Scott was much less effective on the other end, getting shoved far out repeatedly as he tried to turn the left corner. With a pass deflection and tackle for a 9-yard loss, Jay Richardson might win some snaps back yet.
** Justin Fargas started and had one carry for 2 yards over left guard. He also had a goal-line rush for no gain that didn't count because of Carlisle's holding penalty. That's right, Fargas couldn't dive it in with the help of cheating.
** Making matters more glaring, Darren McFadden took over on the third drive and showed great burst on a 13-yard turn around right tackle.
One play earlier, McFadden failed to pick up a middle blitz and Russell was sacked for an 11-yard loss. Two plays later, McFadden applied the lesson learned with a huge blitz block to spring Russell for an 18-yard rumble.
McFadden finished the second quarter with a mighty 47-yard run. He swept left, cut inside the tackle and powered past the flat-footed second level on his way to the Cowboys 17.
Wow. So why is he not starting?
** Free safety Michael Huff made a play. He really did, reading a sideline route from his centerfield station and running over for a interception at the point of collision.
Just when Hiram Eugene should have felt insecure, Huff tackled a tight end in the end zone for a pass interference. But it's a start, and the former No. 7 overall pick has to start somewhere.
** Undrafted rookie wide receiver Nick Miller, all 5-8 of him, needs a spot on this roster. A star in camp, he ran, leaped and bobbled in a 48-yard catch.
What, do you think Todd Watkins or Jonathan Holland bring more to the table as a No. 6 receiver?
** What are the Raiders going to do with all these running backs?
Gary Russell is impressive, making one wonder why the Steelers let him go. Louis Rankin will lead the team in preseason rushing for the second straight season.
Barring a Wing-T offense, someone has to go.
** Chaz Schilens is the No. 1 receiver. Period. Don't ask again.
He goes up for the ball and always brings it down. He does it in traffic. He does it in tight coverage.
** The run defense isn't there yet. In one drive, the Cowboys gashed them to pieces via Marion Barber and Felix Jones. The holes were huge. Huge.
Time to go back to the classroom, gents.
** And always remember, the 2006 Raiders went 4-1 in the preseason. Don't get over excited all at once.
** Wish I could tell you who stood out in the second half, but early deadlines kept me writing instead of watching once the starters took a seat. That's just how exhibition games go.
SFGate: Raiders Silver and Black Blog : Postgame thoughts
